The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-11-09
Farm Notes.

The farmers of all the early settled states
and the prairies Of the West begin to feel
the stringent pressure OF the fence ques-
ton. Few have accurately counted the
cost, and fewer still have discovered any
satisfactory way of avoiding this grievous
burden, but all feel its weight.
Many of our improved varieties of toma-
toes do not ripen as early as the old kinds
that we're smaller. They are also subject
TO more diseases as improvement of quail
ty progresses. The hardest variety Is the
small, egg shaped tomato, which bears well
and yields abundantly on all kinds of
soil.
Certain colors seem to be the pre- ference
In each section for hogs. The South pre-
fers black hog (the Berkshire), the West
spotted hog (such as the Poland China},
while in New York and PennsS lvania the
Cheshire and Chester white white breets)
are preferred, and even under strong rival
~ at times the favorites have held their
own.
Prominent American poultry-breeders
are importing LARGE number of white dork-
iDgs as well as h0cks of the gray and col
ored doTkipgs. Their excellent market quail
tiles are being gradually recognized in this
country. One serious drawback to their
introduction has been the American pref
erence for yellow skin and legs, which in
no manner indicates quality in q table
fowl.
At this season most poultry breeders
close off the surplus stock accumulated
during the summer, and which they can
not afford 10 winter. Rarely can the best
fowls be bought, but thoroughbrsds can
be had more cheaply than at any other
season. It is better for farmers who have
a let of run.out moDgre1s to close them
out now and stock up with the best obtain
able. II they get fewer fowls they will
cost less for food and shelter in winter, and
next season the number may be increased
indefinitely.
South of Pennsylvania cabbsges are
kept in winter by being placed in rows,
the heads close together and the roots In
the ground, the rows being 80 close that
all the heads form a covering to the
ground, there being no space between
them. Over the heads are placed leaves,
straw and cornstalks. As the cabbages are
required they are cut off from the stalks,
which are left in the ground to throw out
sprouts for early green's in the spring.
1t has been demonstrated that nut
bearing trees can be made to pay more
than the interest on the value of the land
occupied during growth, as well as to re-
turn larger profit a. the end of twenty
i've years in timber than could have been
made on such land in regular crops.
Where farmer has more land than he can
cultivate, he would find it to his advantage
to plant a grove OF wslnuts, chestnuts or
some other valuable wood or nut.bearing
tree.
Pines and their companions, the birches,
indicate a dry, rocky, sandy or gravelly
soil: bt eches, a dryish, chalky or gravelly
soil; elms and lines, rich and somewhat
damp soil; oaks and ashes a heavy clsyey
soil, and popla<s and willows, low, damp
or marshy soil. Many of these trees are
found growing together, and It is only
when one species prsdominates in number
aud vigor that it is truly characteristic of
the soil and that portion of the atmos-
phere in connection with it.
The question of supplying the demand
of the country for good, pure butter is GER
tainly one worthy the attention OF every
farmer and buttermaker in the land.
Dair. men and all classes of butter pro-
duceIs may continue to rail against butter
| inc, oleomargarine, or any OF the COM
pOuuds which are manufactured and sold
in lieu of genuine butter, bnt with no
avail Hniil they shall come squarely into
competition with the manufacturers of
these compounds by making and putting
on the market gu perior article.